Month: September 2015

Drugged driving now rivals drunk driving for risk of fatal accidents

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A new report from the Governors Highway Safety Association indicates that driving while under the influence of drugs has become nearly as big of a problem nationwide as drunk driving. According to the report, there were drugs found in the systems of about 40 percent of all fatally injured motorists who were tested. This is a marked increase from 2005, when that rate was roughly 29 percent.

The GHSA report goes on to state that there are a number of likely causes of these trends, including the fact that prescription drug use has quadrupled over the past 15 years. The legalization of marijuana in some states (including Washington and Oregon) is another likely factor.

Upon releasing the report, GHSA Executive Director Jonathan Adkins said that greater efforts must be undertaken at state levels to reduce driving under the influence of drugs, especially marijuana. It is worth noting, however, that several studies have found varying results tied to the marijuana legalization and the prevalence of drugged driving. Studies found a small increase in driving under the influence of marijuana rates in Colorado, while there has been no noticeable change in California since the state decriminalized the drug in 2011.

Unfortunately, when it comes to marijuana, there is not yet a reliable equivalent to the Breathalyzer test that measures an individual’s blood alcohol content (BAC). To that end, the GHSA recommends more training for law enforcement officers to identify motorists who may be operating while impaired.

(Source: Washington Post)

Why it’s so hard to escape the cycle of poverty

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At a time when so many of us have so much, why is there still widespread poverty across the United States? Is it really bad decision-making and poor self-control that keeps people from moving into the middle class?

Quartz: “When considering poverty, our national conversation tends to overlook systemic causes. Instead, we often blame the poor for their poverty. Commentators echo the claim that people are poor because they have bad self-control and therefore make nearsighted choices. But psychology research says the opposite might be the case: poverty makes it hard for people to care about the future and forces them to live in the present.”

In his article, University of Oregon professor Elliot Berkman details the “permanent now” those in poverty must live in constantly, focusing attention on immediate needs like food, rent and utilities. Thus, he argues, “the traditional definition of self-control doesn’t make a lot of sense.”

We Can Do Better Conference to address top health issues in Oregon

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I’ve always been a bit of a conference geek, and I’m incredibly excited to attend the We Can Do Better 2015 Conference Thursday in Portland. I haven’t been to one of these conferences in the past, but it looks like it’s going to be quite interesting. The agenda includes topics such as:

  • Creating health equity with intentionality
  • Transportation planning and its impact on health outcomes
  • Addressing health issues within communities
  • Creating greater access to complementary medicine
  • What’s next for the Affordable Care Act in Oregon?

I’m particularly interested in the first two topics above, as they are especially relevant here in Portland. I’m hoping to have more to share after the event!

Portland extends Old Town crowd control effort

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portland substance abuse prevention
Crews block off a street in Old Town Chinatown. (Source: KPTV)

According to The Oregonian, Portland Mayor Charlie Hales has announced that the city will continue closing several streets in the Old Town Chinatown entertainment district for several hours during weekend nights after studies have shown that the closures have likely helped reduce crime.

When the city first implemented the crowd control effort three years ago, businesses in the area initially protested that the reduction of traffic would hurt their sales. The mayor reported that these businesses have, for the most part, adjusted to the change and that the city is striking a good balance between public safety and protecting local businesses.

At this time, the biggest issue appears to be the large number of vehicles being towed on weekend nights—an average of nine per evening.

In addition to the street closures, the city of Portland has set up taxi areas in an effort to curb drunk driving and ensure more people get home safely after bar time. There are also plans to re-stripe NW 3rd Ave. to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety.

Report: ACA slices American uninsured rate

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Affordable-Care-Act-BenefitsAbout 17.6 million people have gained health insurance coverage through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, according to a recent report from the Department of Health & Human Services. The numbers also represent a decrease in the country’s uninsured rate from 38 percent all the way down to about 12.6 percent.

McClatchyDC: “About 15.3 million gained insurance either through marketplace coverage, non-marketplace individual coverage or through Medicaid, the state/federal health plan for low-income Americans. The remaining 2.3 million young adults ages 19-25 secured coverage under a health law provision that lets them remain on a parent’s plan until age 26.”

The next marketplace enrollment period begins November 1.